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Project Spade Digs Up Child Porn Offenders

The DRPS was one of multiple police services involved in Project Spade, a massive child sex abuse investigation that dismantled an international ring after a three-year investigation.

Led by the Toronto Police Service, international agencies and provincial anti-child porn strategy partners in Ontario, the project began in May 2011 after a business was raided in west-end Toronto.

In Durham Region, three targets were identified and charges were eventually laid against two local men, who are currently before the courts and subject to publication bans.

Inspector Bruce Townley and D/Sgt. Bob Roche of the DRPS Sexual Assault Unit attended the press conference on Nov. 14 at Toronto Police headquarters to represent the DRPS at the announcement.

A total of 348 people have been arrested worldwide, including 50 in Ontario. Investigators say at least 386 children, including 24 in Canada, have been rescued from abusive situations as a result of the investigation.